I celebrated the day with fellow GA Peach Authors, Rhonda McKnight, Marian L. Thomas, Darrell Mitchell, Ravry Sloan, and Lesley D. Poet. We had a great time
at the SW Library in Atlanta, answer questions from readers, discussing our
books and the literary business, and Darrell and Lesley performed a couple of
spoken word pieces. It was a great day. (a few pics below)
So Happy National Authors' day - here's a high-five, a pat on the back, and a cheer for each and every one of you! Write on!
So Happy National Authors' day - here's a high-five, a pat on the back, and a cheer for each and every one of you! Write on!
Author's
Day, National
November
1
The
idea of setting aside a day to celebrate American authors came from Nellie Verne
Burt McPherson, president of the Bement (Illinois) Women's Club in 1928.
McPherson was a teacher and an avid reader throughout her life. During World War
I, when she was recuperating in a hospital, she wrote a fan letter to fiction
writer Irving Bacheller, telling him how much she had enjoyed his story, "Eben
Holden's Last Day A'Fishin." Bacheller sent her an autographed copy of another
story, and McPherson realized that she could never adequately thank him for his
gift. Instead, she showed her appreciation by submitting an idea for a National
Author's Day to the General Federation of Women's Clubs, which passed a
resolution setting aside November 1 as a day to honor American writers. In 1949
the day was recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Sue Cole, McPherson's granddaughter, was largely responsible for promoting the observation of National Author's Day after her grandmother's death in 1968. She has urged people to write a note to their favorite author on this day to "brighten up the sometimes lonely business of being a writer." Flying the American flag on November 1, according to Mrs. Cole, is another way of showing appreciation for the men and women who have created American literature.
Sue Cole, McPherson's granddaughter, was largely responsible for promoting the observation of National Author's Day after her grandmother's death in 1968. She has urged people to write a note to their favorite author on this day to "brighten up the sometimes lonely business of being a writer." Flying the American flag on November 1, according to Mrs. Cole, is another way of showing appreciation for the men and women who have created American literature.
Well that is cool. I'll have to remember this next year
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome. I wish I knew we had a day. I guess we should make it an annual thing to pay tribute to authors on this blog on National Authors Day
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed it!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos, wish the authors had been identified. Was the event something to do with breast cancer awareness? I'm asking because many were wearing pink.
I never heard of it either, but I think it's a wonderful idea!
ReplyDelete